No. 8 FSU rolls to 63-0 win over No. 25 Maryland

October 5, 2013|Orlando Sentinel

No. 8 Florida State wasted no time during a matchup with one of the ACC's most prolific offensive teams.

The Seminoles dominated No. 25 Maryland on both sides of the ball from start to finish, jumping out to a quick 21-0 lead. FSU would eventually coast to a 63-0 win over the Terps at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Karlos Williams rushed for a 1-yard touchdown, capping a 10-play, 77-yard scoring drive for the Seminoles. Jameis Winston was five-of-five passing for 52 yards on the drive. Roberto Aguayo hit the extra point to give FSU the 7-0 lead with 8:14 left in the first quarter.

More important for FSU, the Seminoles held the Terps scoreless in the first quarter. Maryland ranks No. 17 nationally in total offense (498.5 ypg) and is tied for No. 25 in scoring (39.8 ppg).

The Terps were driving to open the second quarter.

Brad Craddock missed a 51-yard field goal with 14:51 left in the second quarter, helping the Seminoles protect the early shutout.

FSU starting center Bryan Stork suffered a concussion during the first half and will not return the remainder of the game, school officials announced. Stork had two bad snaps during the game before he was injured and helped to the sidelines. With FSU's back-up center also out due to injury, third-string center Austin Barron is playing for the Seminoles.

Despite the loss of Stork, FSU's offense kept rolling. Devonta Freeman used a 5-yard touchdown to cap a nine-play, 80-yard scoring drive for the Seminoles. Aguayo connected on the extra point to push FSU ahead 14-0 with 6:15 left in the second quarter.

Caleb Rowe stepped in at quarterback for Maryland after C.J. Brown was hit hard by two FSU players. Terps coach Randy Edsall protested no penalty was called. It appeared FSU could have been hit for targeting and late hit penalties, with two helmets spearing Brown after he released the ball. The ESPN broadcast crew reported during the third quarter Brown was out for the remainder of the game and was being taken in for X-rays.

After Brown left the game, the Seminoles forced Maryland to punt and mounted another long scoring drive. This time, Winston passed to Kelvin Benjamin for a 5-yard touchdown pass to cap a nine-play, 78-yard drive. With the Aguayo extra point, FSU took a 21-0 lead with 28 seconds left in the second half.

Maryland ran out the clock to end the first half.

FSU coach Jimbo Fisher praised both quarterback Jameis Winston and his defense during a halftime interview with ESPN's broadcast team.

"He's taking care of the football, making good decisions," Fisher said of Winston. "Our defense is playing their tails off."

Winston picked up right where he left off in the third quarter, completing a 48-yard pass to Rashad Greene, rushing for 20 yards and hitting Nick O'Leary for an 8-yard touchdown pass. Aguayo connected on the extra point to push FSU ahead 28-0 with 12:18 left in the third quarter. It was a seven-play, 94-yard scoring drive.

Winston later passed to Kenny Shaw for a 21-yard touchdown. Aguayo hit the extra point to put FSU up 35-0 with 9:47 left in the third quarter.

Winston added another play to his growing highlight reel, evading what looked like a sure Maryland sack. He rolled to his right still under pressure after dodging a Terps tackle and hit O'Leary for a 12-yard touchdown pass. The Aguayo extra point pushed FSU ahead 42-0 with 1:50 left in the third quarter.

Winston tacked on a 21-yard touchdown pass to Benjamin with 14:56 left in the fourth quarter. With the extra point, FSU leads Maryland 49-0.

Jacob Coker took over to run the offense in the fourth quarter.

Winston completed 23 of 32 passes for 393 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions. He also rushed for 24 yards on seven carries.

FSU kept piling on the points despite the quarterback change. Williams rushed for a 17-yard touchdown. With the extra point, FSU extended its lead to 55-0 with 11:28 left in the contest.